Firearm sling attachment device

ABSTRACT

A firearm sling attachment device is presented. According to an embodiment, a sling attachment device comprises a quick detach receiver and a cord. The quick-detach receiver includes: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The cord is detachably affixed to the quick-detach receiver through the opening.

RELATED FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an attachment device for detachably securing a sling to a firearm.

BACKGROUND

A firearm sling is generally a strap or harness that is designed to be attached to one or more points of a firearm such that it would allow a user to carry the firearm on his body. For example, a simple two-point sling generally attaches to two connection points located at the front (e.g., rifle handguard) and rear (e.g., rifle buftstock) of the firearm and is designed to allow the user to carry the firearm over his back, with the sling draped across the torso, around the neck or over one shoulder.

Although a firearm, such as an AR-15 rifle, may provide multiple connection points for connecting a rifle sling, these connection points are often predetermined. As such, the user usually cannot choose any point on the firearm to connect the sling to and, instead, is forced to choose among the predetermined connection points to connect the sling. The presently disclosed device substantially overcomes these drawbacks.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a firearm sling attachment device. According to an embodiment, a sling attachment device comprises a quick detach receiver and a cord. The quick-detach receiver includes: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The cord is detachably affixed to the quick-detach receiver through the opening.

According to another embodiment, the sling attachment device comprises a quick-detach receiver including: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The body of the quick-detach receiver has a cylindrical shape; a portion of the body where the opening is formed is thinner than the rest of the body; the opening has an oblong shape elongated along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis; and the cavity is open at a base of the first end of the body.

According to another embodiment, the sling attachment device comprises a quick-detach receiver and a quick-detach swivel. The quick-detach receiver includes: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The quick-detach swivel includes: a loop configured to accommodate a firearm sling; and retractable features that reversibly engage the one or more recesses in the quick-detach receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the present disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the various embodiments given below serve to explain and teach the principles described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary firearm sling attachment device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows how the firearm sling attachment device of FIG. 1 may be detachably affixed to a firearm handguard, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows how the firearm handguard of FIG. 2 may be detachably affixed to a firearm sling using the firearm sling attachment device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide upper and lower perspective views of an exemplary quick-detach receiver, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C provides a frontal view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 4D provides a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4E provides a profile view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 4F provides a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 4E, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide upper and lower perspective views of an exemplary quick-detach receiver, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C provides a frontal view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 5D provides a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 5C, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5E provides a profile view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 5F provides a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 5E, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. The figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the various embodiments described herein and do not describe every aspect of the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide the present system and method. Representative examples utilizing many of these features and teachings, both separately and in combination, are described with reference to the attached figures. While the detailed description herein illustrates to a person of ordinary skill in the art further details for practicing aspects of the present teachings, it does not limit the scope of the claims. Therefore, combinations of features disclosed in the detailed description are representative examples of the present teachings and may not be necessary to practice the teachings in the broadest sense.

Relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc., may be used herein to describe the spatial relations of components shown in the figures. As such, when used in such context, these terms should be construed in accordance with the spatial orientation of the components as depicted in the relevant figures and not as absolute terms.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary firearm sling attachment device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sling attachment device includes a quick-detach receiver 100 and a cord 200. The quick-detach receiver 100, which is described in further detail below, may be formed as a unitary member to enhance structural integrity. For example, the receiver may be milled from a single aluminum piece into the shape shown in the figures. The cord 200 may be an open-ended piece and tied in a closed-loop fashion similar to that shown in FIG. 1, or it may be originally formed as a closed loop. For example, the cord 200 may be a hollow Spectra® cord that is spliced to form a closed loop.

The cord 200 may be lastingly or detachably affixed to the quick-detach receiver. For example, the cord 200 may be lastingly affixed to the quick-detach receiver 100 during manufacture by splicing the cord to form a closed loop through an opening of the quick-detach receiver. When lastingly affixed in this way, the only way to separate the quick-detach receiver 100 and the cord 200 may be to cut and damage either component. Alternatively, the cord 200 may be detachably affixed to the quick-detach receiver 100 by tying the cord through an opening of the quick-detach receiver using a knot, such as the cow-hitch knot 201 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows how the firearm sling attachment device of FIG. 1 may be detachably affixed to a firearm handguard, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the quick-detach receiver 100 tied to the firearm handguard 300 by tying a second knot in the cord 200. In this case, the second knot is another cow-hitch knot. Of course, what is shown in the figures is only an example, and other ways of securing the quick-detach receiver 100 to the firearm using the cord 200 are contemplated. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the firearm sling attachment device may be secured to other locations of the firearm, not just the handguard, by applying the principles and teachings disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows how the firearm handguard of FIG. 2 may be detachably affixed to a sling using the firearm sling attachment device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 3 shows that an open-faced cavity 102 formed at one end of the quick-detach receiver 100 is configured to receive a quick-detach swivel 400, which includes a loop for accommodating a sling strap 401. Though not shown in FIG. 3 (but shown in later figures), the quick-detach receiver 100 includes one or more recesses in the side wall of the open-faced cavity 102, which are designed to accommodate the retractable features 402—in this case, ball bearings—located on a stud of the quick-detach swivel 400. By reversibly engaging the retractable features 402 with the one or more recesses, the quick-detach swivel 400 may be easily attached to or detached from the quick-detach receiver 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide upper and lower perspective views of an exemplary quick-detach receiver, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C provides a frontal view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 4D provides a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4E provides a profile view of the quick-detach receiver, and FIG. 4F provides a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 4E, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4F, the quick-detach receiver 100 includes a body that is elongated longitudinally along a Y-axis. That is, the body of the quick-detach receiver 100 has opposite ends positioned along the Y-axis. The body as shown has a cylindrical shape but other elongated shapes may be used.

The quick-detach receiver 100 includes an open-faced, cylindrical cavity 102 formed in a bottom end of its body. The open-faced, cylindrical cavity 102 extends longitudinally along the Y-axis and is open at a bottom base of the body such that a quick-detach swivel stud may be inserted. As mentioned earlier, the side wall of the cavity 102 includes one or more recesses with which the retractable ball bearings of a quick-detach swivel stud can reversibly engage. In the case shown in FIGS. 4A through 4F, the cavity 102 includes four recesses 103 arranged circumferentially in its side wall, and the recesses are equally spaced around a perimeter of the cavity. By forming the four recesses as shown, the degree of which the inserted quick-detach swivel may swivel is limited. A diameter D of the cavity 102 may be substantially 9.55 mm so that it can securely accommodate quick-detach swivels that are already commercially available.

The quick-detach receiver 100 also includes an opening 101 formed laterally through a top end of its body along a Z-axis, which is perpendicular to the Y-axis. It is through this opening that the cord 200 may be affixed to the quick-detach receiver. The opening 101 may have an oblong shape elongated along an X-axis, which is perpendicular to both the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The edges of the opening 101 may be beveled so that when the cord 200 is tied to the quick-detach receiver 100, the cord 200 does not get worn down or cut by sharp edges of the opening 101.

The top portion of the body of the quick-detach receiver 100 where the opening 101 is formed may be thinner than the rest of the body, such as shown in FIG. 4E, and the top end of the body may be rounded, such as shown in FIG. 4C. Also, the top portion of the body of the quick-detach receiver 100 where the opening 101 is formed may be symmetrically positioned with respect to a central axis of the body, in the case shown in FIG. 4C, the Y-axis.

FIGS. 5A through 5F illustrate a quick-detach receiver according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and provide views similar to those of FIGS. 4A through 4F. The quick-detach receiver of FIGS. 5A through 5F, however, differs from that of FIGS. 4A through 4F in that a single, continuous recess 503 is formed on a side wall of the cavity 102 instead of the four recess 103. Because the single recess 503 is continuously formed around the perimeter of the cavity 102, a quick-detach swivel inserted into the cavity 102 is allowed to swivel 360° without restriction, unlike the case in which four recesses are formed to be spaced from each other.

The various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional embodiments of the present teachings. The dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help understand how the present teachings are practiced and do not limit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sling attachment device for attaching a sling to a firearm, comprising: a quick-detach receiver including: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and a cord detachably affixed to the quick-detach receiver through the opening.
 2. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the body of the quick-detach receiver has a cylindrical shape.
 3. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the opening has an oblong shape elongated along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis.
 4. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein edges of the opening are beveled.
 5. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body is rounded.
 6. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body where the opening is formed is thinner than the rest of the body.
 7. The sling attachment device of claim 6, wherein the portion of the body where the opening is formed is symmetrically positioned with respect to a central axis of the body.
 8. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the cord is hollow and spliced to form a closed loop.
 9. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the cord is detachably affixed to the opening via a cow hitch knot.
 10. The sling attachment device of claim 9, wherein the cord is further detachably affixed to a firearm via a cow hitch knot.
 11. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the cavity includes four recesses equally spaced around a perimeter of the cavity.
 12. The sling attachment device of claim 1, wherein the cavity is open at a base of the first end of the body.
 13. A sling attachment device for attaching a sling to a firearm, comprising: a quick-detach receiver including: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; wherein: the body of the quick-detach receiver has a cylindrical shape; a portion of the body where the opening is formed is thinner than the rest of the body; the opening has an oblong shape elongated along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis; and the cavity is open at a base of the first end of the body.
 14. The sling attachment device of claim 13, wherein edges of the opening are beveled.
 15. The sling attachment device of claim 13, wherein the second end of the body is rounded.
 16. The sling attachment device of claim 13, wherein the portion of the body where the opening is formed is symmetrically positioned with respect to a central axis of the body.
 17. A sling attachment device for attaching a sling to a firearm, comprising: a quick-detach receiver including: a body elongated longitudinally along a first axis and having first and second ends oppositely positioned along the first axis; an open-faced, cylindrical cavity formed in the first end of the body and extending longitudinally along the first axis, the cavity including one or more recesses arranged circumferentially in a side wall of the cavity; and an opening formed laterally through the second end of the body along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and a quick-detach swivel including: a loop configured to accommodate a firearm sling; and retractable features that reversibly engage the one or more recesses in the quick-detach receiver.
 18. The sling attachment device of claim 17, wherein edges of the opening are beveled.
 19. The sling attachment device of claim 17, wherein the body of the quick-detach receiver has a cylindrical shape.
 20. The sling attachment of claim 17, wherein a portion of the body where the opening is formed is thinner than the rest of the body. 